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Walking horse owners will be investigated

CHATTANOOGA — District Attorney General Mike Dunavant says several Tennessee walking horse owners will be investigated to determine whether they knew their horses were being abused.

Last week, trainer Jackie McConnell was sentenced to three years’ probation, fined $75,000 and ordered to perform 300 hours of community service for violating the federal Horse Protection Act. He still faces 17 state misdemeanor charges related to soring, or illegally injuring a horse’s legs to enhance its high-stepping gait.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that affidavits in the state cases claim that owners witnessed some of the abuse at McConnell’s stable.

Dunavant said officials will investigate how much owners knew and whether they participated in the soring.

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